Deep well pump



A. CONHAGEN DEEP WELL PUMP Aug. 22, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 18,1966 INVENTOR fllfred Cahhagen 2, 1967 A. CONHAGEN 3,336,875

DEEP WELL PUMP Filed Feb. 18, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 0L I I 19.

3,336,875 DEEP WELL PUMP Alfred Conhagen, New Canaan, Conn. AlfredConlllagen, Inc., 172 Lynhurst Ave., Staten Island, N.Y.

Filed Feb. 18, 1966, Ser. No. 528,477 10 Claims. (Cl. 103-88) Thisinvention concerns a centrifugal pump adapted to pump liquids from wellsor ship tanks without the aid of priming devices.

In the present pump the liquid is raised mechanically by centrifugalforce and does not rely upon suction, screw type propellers, rotarycups, etc. The pump is arranged so that a minimum amount of turbulenceand liquid friction is introduced.

According to the invention there is provided a rotary tube in which is amultiple wing partition defining passages which guide the liquidupwardly to a reservoir from which the liquid is expelled centrifugallyto a rotatable expeller. The expeller discharges the liquidcentrifugally under pressure from the reservoir. A plurality of rotarytubes can be disposed in parallel to multiply the pumping capacity ofthe pump.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a pumpincluding a rotary tube divided by a partition into passages throughwhich liquid is centrifugally expelled from a tank or well into areservoir with a rotary centrifugal expeller for discharging the liquidfrom the reservoir.

A further object is to provide a pump as described with a stationaryouter tube surrounding the rotary tube to support the same and to reduceturbulence and liquid friction in the tank and around the rotary tube.

Another object is to provide a pump including a plurality of stationaryouter tubes and rotary inner tubes, with partitions in the inner tubesfor passing liquid centrifugally from a tank to a common reservoir, withan expeller for discharging the liquid from the reservoir, and with acommon prime mover operatively connected by gear means for driving therotary inner tubes and expeller simultaneously.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view partially in section of a pumpembodying the invention,

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are horizontal sectional views taken on lines 2--2 and3-3 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a partitionemployed in the pump of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, with portions broken away, of another pumpembodying the invention,

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 5, and

FIG. 7 is a reduced elevational view partially in section and withportions broken away of another pump embodying the invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown pump 10 provided with anelectric drive motor 12 having an axially vertical drive shaft 18. Themotor is mounted in a stationary position by a bracket 20 secured to astationary support 22. The shaft 18 extends axially of a sealing ring 21in generally cylindrical axially vertical casing 24 having a 4* UnitedStates. Patent 0 3,336,875 Patented Aug. 22, 1967 lower reservoirchamber 25 and an upper liquid discharge chamber 26. An annularhorizontal partition 28 in the casing 24 separates the two chambers.Rotatably disposed in an opening 29 in partition 28 is the bottomcylindrical end 30 of a liquid expeller 32. This member has fourdischarge nozzles 34 extending radially of the expeller axiallyhorizontally and spaced circumferentially apart around the expeller.Passages 35 in the nozzles communicate with axially vertical inlet.ports 36 in the expeller open at the top of the reservoir chamber 25.The expeller 32 is secured to and rotates with shaft 18.

The casing 24 has a bottom annular wall 40 in which is a central opening41. A thrust ball bearing assembly 42 engages the exterior of an axiallyvertical rotary tube 44 near its upper end. The upper end of the tubeextends into the reservoir chamber 25 and is provided with a pluralityof circumferentially spaced ports or openings 46. The upper end of thetube is closed by a head 48 secured thereto and coupled by a fitting 49to the lower end of shaft 18. Afiixed to the interior of tube 44 is avertical partition 50 having three radially extending wings 52 definingthree passages 54 through the rotary tube 44.

The lower end of tube 44 is engaged by a thrust ball bearing assembly 55near the lower end of a stationary cylindrical tube 56 whichconcentrically surrounds tube 44. Tube 56 is open at top and bottomends. Tube 56 at its upper end is secured to casing wall 40 in opening41. Thrust bearing 42 is secured in the upper end of tube 56. Tube 44has a bottom flange 59 with a central opening or port 60 which opensinto the three passages 54 to admit liquid thereto.

The pump can be mounted on the upper wall 62 of a tank 64 containingliquid '65 with tube 56 extending through tank opening 63. In order forthe pump to be operative, the liquid level 66 must be above the bottomopen end of tube 44. When the electric motor 12 is energized, theexpeller 32 and tube 44 with partition 50 are driven at high speed.Liquid enters the tube opening 60 and climbs up the narrow passages 54from which it is expelled centrifugally through ports 46 into thereservoir chamber 25. When the chamber 25 is filled, the liquid rises inexpeller passages 36 and is then discharged through nozzles 34centrifugally into chamber 26.

From chamber 26 the liquid is discharged under pressure through outletport 66 opening radially of the casing in chamber 26. An outlet conduit68 may be connected to port 66 to receive the discharged liquid. 3

It will be noted that the pump does not require suction to operate. Itoperates mechanically by centrifugal forces induced by the high speed ofrotation of the tube 44 and expeller 32. The tubes 44, 56 can be anydesired length depending on the lift of liquid required. Use ofhelically curved vanes, cups and other like mechanical lifting devicesis avoided. The rotary tube 44 is radially spaced from liquid 65 by thestationary tube. This prevents tur-,

bulence and minimizes friction. The pump thus operates efficiently andis capable of continuous operation at any level of liquid, provided itcovers the tube opening 60.

The ball bearing mounting at the rotary tube 44 in stationary tube 56insures free rotation without vibration. Bolts 69 may be used to securecasing wall 40 to the top of tank 64.

In FIGS. 5 and 6 is shown another pump 10A which is similar inprinciples of operation to pump 10 and corresponding parts areidentically numbered. Pump 10A has a plurality of axially verticalstationary pipes or tubes 56 which surround and support rotatable innertubes 44 :spectively. Each of the tubes 44 is divided into passages 4 bya plural wing partition 50. The tubes 56 are secured upper ends to thebottom 71 of easing 24a in circumzrentially spaced positions. Casing 24ahas one discharge )nduit or nozzle 66a opening from chamber 26a in which(peller 32 is located.

The pump has a drive motor 12a Whose shaft 14a is )upled to shaft 18awhich drives expeller 32 in chamber 6a. Shaft 18a supports and drives amain central drive ear 70 located in chamber 25a under partition 28a.Gear in turn is engaged by four gears 72 at circumferentialr spacedpoints supported by stub shafts 74 journaled in earings 76 in partition28a. The upper ends of tubes 44 re journaled in bearings in the samemanner as illustrated 1 FIG. 1. The gears 72 are secured at upper endsof tubes 4 and may serve as closure heads above discharge openigs 46.

By the arrangement described and illustrated in FIGS. and 6, liquiddrawn up by rotary tubes 44 is discharged entrifugally via ports 46 intochamber 25a. The liquid Jen passes through expeller 32 into chamber 26afrom IhlCh the liquid is expelled through nozzle 66a.

Pump 10A operates like pump '10 in drawing water up hrough the innerrotary tubes 44 to the common reservoir hamber 2 and then through theexpellers 32 to the disharge conduits or nozzles 66a. The motor 12adrives all xpellers and rotary tubes simultaneously, and the rotary ubesoperate in parallel. Pump 10A which has four tubes 4 as illustrated inFIG. 5 will have four times the capacity vf pump with only one tube 44.A larger motor will )f course be required to drive the expeller andtubes 44 If pump 10A. The pumps 10 and 10A can be made up in 'arioussizes to meet various pumping requirements. More Jr less than four tubeassemblies 44, 56 may be provided.

In FIG. 7 is shown pump 10B which is similar to pumps [0 except in anupper floating mounting arrangement for :xterior stationary tube 56'.The bottom end of tube 56' s provided with an annular flange 80 havingcircumferentially spaced radial slots 82 registering with slots 84 atthe bottom end of tube 56'. The flange 80 rests on the oottom 85 of thetank 86. The upper end of the tube 56' Is connected to casing 24'. Theupper end of tube 56' extends through an opening 88 in the upper wall 90of the tank. A resilient buffer ring 92 is secured in the opening 88.The tube 56' is slightly spaced for the ring to provide annularclearance 94. This clearance allows for movement of a ship in which thepump may be installed while pumping liquid 65' out of the tank.

It will be understood that all the pumps described employ just oneexpeller operating in a chamber which receives liquid from a singlecommon reservoir into which one or more rotating tubes centrifugallydischarge liquid. The expeller may have any desired number of nozzles orvanes which may be other than four as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6.Instead of an electric motor drive, air or steam turbines may be usedand will be preferred when pumping flammable liquids. Instead of amounting bracket, some other type of mechanical support for the motorcan be provided. In any case the construction should be such that theentire unit including motor, pump casing and tubes can be removed. Ifdesired, a thrust bearing may be provided in the pump casing to helpsupport the weight of the motor. Sleeve or drag bearings may be providedat the lower ends of the rotary tubes to permit them to find their owncenter of gravity. If desired the stationary outer tube can be securedto the top of the tank.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of theinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise construction herein disclosed and that various changes andmodifications may be made within the scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A centrifugal pump, comprising a stationary general- 1y cylindricalaxially vertical casing, said casing having a first partition thereindividing the easing into a lower reservoir chamber and an upper liquiddischarge chamber, said liquid discharge chamber having an outlet port,said casing having a bottom wall with an opening therein, a firstaxially vertical tube secured nonrotationally to the bottom wall of thecasing at said opening, a rotary axially vertical second tube disposedinside the first tube concentric and coaxial therewith, bearings atupper and lower ends of the second tube rotatably engaging the secondtube to the first tube, said second tube at its upper end extending intosaid reservoir chamber, a multiple wing partition secured in andextending longitudinally of the second tube dividing the same into aplurality of narrow passages to admit liquid into said passages, saidsecond tube having lateral ports at its upper end opening from saidpassages respectively into said reservoir chamber, a head at the upperend of the second tube closing the same, and drive means engaged withsaid head for rotating the same, whereby liquid is drawn up through saidpassages and discharged centrifugally into said reservoir chamber.

2. A centrifugal pump as recited in claim 1, further comprising anexpeller disposed in said discharge chamber and arranged to receiveliquid under pressure from the reservoir chamber for discharging theliquid through the outlet port.

3. A centrifugal pump as recited in claim 1, wherein said drive meanscomprises a motor driven drive shaft disposed axially vertical andconnected to said head closing the upper end of the second tube, saidshaft extending upwardly through said discharge chamber.

4. A centrifugal pump as recited in claim 3, further comprising a motorhaving a shaft coupled to said drive shaft outside the casing.

5. A centrifugal pump as recited in claim 3, further comprising anexpeller rotatably disposed in said discharge chamber and connected tosaid drive shaft so that the expeller is rotated thereby, said expellerhaving axially extending ports opening into said reservoir chamber toreceive liquid therefrom and radially extending other passages connectedto said ports for discharging liquid centrifugally into the dischargechamber under pressure, whereby the liquid passes out of said outletport.

6. A centrifugal pump as recited in claim 5, further comprising a motorhaving a shaft coupled to the drive shaft outside the casing.

7. A centrifugal pump as recited in claim 2, further comprising a thirdaxially vertical tube secured nonrotationally to the bottom Wall of thecasing, a rotary axially vertical fourth tube disposed inside the thirdtube concentric and coaxial therewith, other bearing means at upper andlower ends of the fourth tube rotatably supporting the same in the thirdtube, said fourth tube extending at its upper end into said reservoirchamber, another multiple wing partition secured in and extendinglongitudinally of the fourth tube dividing the same into a plurality ofother narrow passages, said third tube having an open bottom end, saidfourth tube having a bottom opening open to said other passages to admitliquid thereto, said fourth tube having other lateral ports at its upperend opening from said other passages respectively into said reservoirchamber, and another head at the upper end of the fourth tube closingthe same, said drive means being engaged with said other head forrotating said fourth tube and other partitions simultaneously with thesecond tube and first named multiple wing partition, whereby liquid isdrawn up through the passages in both rotary tubes simultaneously and isdischarged centrifugally into the reservoir chamber.

8. A centrifugal pump as recited in claim 7, wherein said heads comprisegears on the rotary tubes, said drive means comprising a plurality ofdrive shafts respectively connected to the gears at the upper ends ofthe second and fourth tubes, a motor driven shaft extending into thecasing, and drive gear on the motor driven shaft in the casing meshedwith said gears and driving the same so that the rotary second andfourth tubes rotate simultaneously.

9. A centrifugal pump as recited in claim 8, further comprising a drivemotor located outside the casing and connected to said motor drivenshaft for driving the same.

10. A centrifugal pump as recited in claim 2, further comprising anannular flange secured to the bottom end of the first tube to supportthe same on the bottom of a tank, said flange having circumferentiallyspaced slots registering with slots at the bottom end of the first tubefor admitting liquid to the first tube.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Nowacki 103-9] Mattson 103-85Light 103--9S Stoors 103-95 Boettcher 103-91 Burgin 10388 10 ROBERT M.WALKER, Primary Examiner.

HENRY F. RADUAZO, Examiner.

1. A CENTRIFUGAL PUMP, COMPRISING A STATIONARY GENERALLY CYLINDRICALAXIALLY VERTICAL CASING, SAID CASING HAVING A FIRST PARTITION THEREINDIVIDING THE CASING INTO A LOWER RESERVOIR CHAMBER AND AN UPPER LIQUIDDISCHARGE CHAMBER, SAID LIQUID DISCHARGE CHAMBER HAVING AN OUTLET PORT,SAID CASING HAVING A BOTTOM WALL WITH AN OPENING THEREIN, A FRISTAXIALLY VERTICAL TUBE SECURED NONROTATIONALLY TO THE BOTTOM WALL OF THECASING AT SAID OPENING, A ROTARY AXIALLY VERTICAL SECOND TUBE DISPOSEDINSIDE THE FIRST TUBE CONCENTRIC AND COAXIAL THEREWITH, BEARINGS ATUPPER AND LOWER ENDS OF THE SECOND TUBE ROTATABLY ENGAGING THE SECONDTUBE TO THE FIRST TUBE, SAID SECOND TUBE AT ITS UPPER END EXTENDING INTOSAID RESERVOIR CHAMBER, A MULTIPLE WIND PARTITION SECURED IN ANDEXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF THE SECOND TUBE DIVIDING THE SAME INTO APLURALITY OF NARROW PASSAGES TO ADMIT LIQUID INTO SAID PASSAGES, SAIDSECOND